UV & U


11

Learning outcomes:

By the end of this activity you should know:

  • the importance of sun protection from an early age
  • the factors that affect personal exposure to solar UV radiation
  • clothes, eye-wear and sunscreen can reduce personal exposure to solar UV radiation.

Personal exposure to solar UV radiation depends mainly on exposure time and global UV levels. Exposure to UV radiation accumulates over time, taking into account the length of exposure periods and UV intensity, i.e. exposure at high UV levels is equivalent to longer exposure at lower UV levels.

Cumulative exposure to solar UV radiation can be reduced by adapting safe sun exposure behavior and using personal protection. Avoiding the sun and seeking shade when the UV intensity is high is a good practice. Clothes, hats, eye-wear and sunscreen can effectively reduce UV radiation reaching the skin and eyes.

Some genetic factors, such as skin and eye colour, determine the susceptibility of individuals to UV-induced effects. Fair-skinned people respond to UV radiation faster than dark-skinned people. The fairer the skin, the shorter the UV exposure time required for vitamin D production or to cause skin and eye damage.

The following animation is to design avatars with optional characteristics related to human exposure to solar UV radiation. Through the animation, the genetic and personal factors that determine human exposure to solar UV radiation will be explored; and some  sun protection tools will be shown.


Questions

  1. Design an avatar that matches you.
  2. Design another avatar for yourself that provides maximum UV protection.
  3. Comment on three points about what you have learned from the custom avatar activity that relate to you?